John Contrata, age 89, of Bethel, CT, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at Lockwood Lodge in Newtown.  He was the husband for 58 years of the late Dolores (Giuliano) Contrata who died in 2016.

John was born in Brooklyn, NY May 20, 1928, son of the late Frank and Louise (Bove) Contrata. John attended Stuyvascent High School and served in the Army during the Korean War, where he earned the Bronze Star for bravery. He met his wife Dolores Giuliano at NY University and they got married June 15, 1957. Together they raised their three children in Islip Terrace, NY.

His first job out of college was writing advertising copy for Chain Store Age in Manhattan, then for the better part of his career he worked on Long Island at Fulfillment Associates Inc. in Farmingdale, NY as department manager. Later he worked in sales for Neodata and once retired, John worked as a consultant.

John loved to write … letters to his children, articles in newsletters, and once he lived in Bethel he joined a creative writing group at the senior center where he wrote approximately 100 stories, several which were published.

John enjoyed belonging to many organizations; Sons of Italy on Long Island, he was the President of the local Civics Association, and later in Bethel was on the board of the condo association where he lived in Plumtree Heights in Bethel.

He enjoyed sports and was a huge fan of the NY Mets baseball team and NY Giants football team. He loved traveling, loved exploring different areas of the US as well as going abroad.

A devoted father, John loved his children unconditionally and with sincerity, teaching and leading by example with hard work, high ethical standards, and respect for others.

John is survived by his daughters: Diane Anderson and her husband Mark of Sewell, NJ, Susan DeCarlo and her husband Joe of Bethel, CT; son: John F. Contrata and his wife Kelly of Vestal, NY; sister Susan Schneider of Massapequa, NY; grandchildren: Kevin Anderson and his wife Melanie, Amanda Jones and her husband Reid, Lauren DeCarlo, John, Ronnie and Thomas Contrata; great granddaughters: Katie and Julia Anderson as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Theresa Hogan and his grandson: Brian Anderson.

Memorials may be made to Danbury Lions Club, P.O. Box 461, Danbury, CT  06813.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Church, Bethel, Monday morning at 10:00. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Bethel.

The family will receive friends at the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel, Sunday afternoon from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. 

 Service Information